Inter-, partially intra-, and intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions of alkynes were catalyzed by a low-valent titanium species generated in situ from the reduction of CpTi(O-i-Pr) 3 , CpTiCl 3 , or Cp*TiCl 3 with Mg or Zn powder in the presence of Me 3 SiCl. The role of Me 3 SiCl as an additive in the reaction mechanism is discussed.

We have been interested in the reactivities of small-ring compounds and have reported reactions that proceed through cyclopropane intermediates starting from coumarin derivatives bearing an electron-withdrawing group at the 3-position or 2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carboxylate derivatives and dimethylsulfoxonium methylide. This time, the reaction between 3-oxa-2-oxobicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4-ene-1-carboxylate and dimethylsulfoxonium methylide has been investigated. 3a,4,5,7a-Tetrahydro-7-hydroxybenzofuran-6-carboxylate and/or 2-hydroxybicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-ene-3-carboxylate were obtained. The compounds were characterized using various spectral and X-ray crystallographic techniques. A plausible reaction mechanism has been discussed. This reaction was applied to some 3-oxa-2-oxobicyclo[4.2.0]oct-4-ene-1-carboxylate derivatives to clarify the generality.